Submerged Motor Vehicle Recovery / Missing Person Investigation - Lancaster

LANCASTER, New Hampshire – The New Hampshire State Police in conjunction with NH Fish & Game, Gorham Police Department, and the NH Medical Examiner’s Office have identified the human remains found in the Connecticut River in Lancaster, on August 6, 2021.  The remains are those of Alberta Leeman, who was last seen in July, 1978.  At the time of her disappearance, Ms. Leeman was 63 years old.

DNA testing by Bode Technology compared a DNA sample of Ms. Leeman’s relative to the human remains found within the vehicle registered to Ms. Leeman.  The testing confirmed the identity of Ms. Leeman who had been missing for decades.

Ms. Leeman’s remains were examined by Forensic Anthropologist(s) and the NH Medical Examiner’s Office.  Ms. Leeman’s Manner of Death was an accident from a motor vehicle collision that occurred in July, 1978.  The Cause of Death was multiple blunt force injuries sustained during the motor vehicle collision.  The events surrounding Ms. Leeman’s death are not considered to be suspicious.

The family of Ms. Leeman appreciates the diligent efforts of law enforcement and their medical partners that have brought this investigation to conclusion.